Elmira College Athletics

Josh Piro ’03 begins his second season as the Assistant Women’s Ice Hockey Coach and Head Women’s JV Ice Hockey Coach.

Piro, a 2003 graduate of Elmira College, was a four-year member of the Men’s Varsity Ice Hockey team. During his time playing for the Soaring Eagles, Piro helped lead Elmira College to the ECAC West Conference Crown in 2003 and an NCAA Tournament quarterfinal appearance that same year. He was also awarded the Coach’s Award in 2003 for best exemplifying dedication, hard work, and superior play.

Following commencement, Piro went on to play professionally for a total of nine seasons. He started his career with the East Coast Hockey League’s (ECHL) Johnstown Chiefs and finished his rookie season with the Florence Pride (ECHL) playing in 56 games. He played one season with the United Hockey League’s (UHL) Fort Wayne Komets, and then returned to Elmira to play for the UHL’s Elmira Jackals for the 2005-2006 season. Following his season in Elmira, Piro signed with the Fayetteville FireAntz in Fayetteville, NC. He was named Assistant Captain of the FireAntz and led his team to the Southern Professional Hockey League Championship (SPHL) in 2007, playing in all 64 games of the championship season while recording 10 goals and 27 assists. Piro played two more seasons in the SPHL for the Twin City Cyclones before taking his career overseas where he played two seasons for the Herford Ice Dragons (Oberliga), leading the league in scoring in 2011 with 26 goals and 30 assists for 56 points. He hung up his skates following the 2011-2012 season with over 300 professional games played and over 200 points. Piro then returned to the states to pursue a career in coaching.

Along with his playing experience, Piro has been a private ice hockey coach since 2002. He has worked for both World Class Hockey Development, Sports International Hockey Academy, and Elite Hockey helping run summer camps across the country and in Canada. He has organized and planned hockey school programs that have taught players of all ages the fundamentals of hockey.

Piro has been involved in numerous charitable organizations throughout his career, volunteering his time with the Easter Seals, the Special Olympics, and the Saint Vincent DePaul Society. Piro also established the SLAPSHOT CUP Hockey Tournament in 2008 as well as co-founded the Ziggy Foundation in 2010. The SLAPSHOT CUP is an adult hockey tournament that brings 300 individuals from all over the world to Johnstown, PA for three days of competition. The Ziggy Foundation was founded in honor of Dave “Ziggy” Zeigler, a youth hockey enthusiast from Piro’s hometown of Johnstown, PA, and strives to provide young hockey players with scholarships, lessons, and equipment.

Piro is pursuing a Master’s Degree in General Education at Elmira College.